Bottom Line:
Results.The higher effect size was found in the quality of life value (d = 0.38; 95% Cl: 0.51-0.24).Relaxation training can have a moderate impact on both psychological well-being and respiratory function, resulting in noticeable improvements in both.

ABSTRACTIntroduction. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) people suffer from severe physical impairments, which often elicit significant psychological distress and impact their quality of life. This meta-analysis aimed to assess evidence from the scientific literature on the effects of relaxation techniques. Methods. We investigated 9 databases to select 25 RCTs. Studies included both inpatients and outpatients with COPD. Both respiratory and psychological outcomes were considered. Results. Relaxation techniques showed a little positive effect on the value of the percentage of predicted FEV1 (d = 0.20; 95% Cl: 0.40--0.01) as well as a slight effect on levels of both the anxiety (d = 0.26; 95% Cl: 0.42-0.10) and depression (d = 0.33; 95% Cl: 0.53-0.13). The higher effect size was found in the quality of life value (d = 0.38; 95% Cl: 0.51-0.24). The assessed quality of the studies, based on the PEDro Scale, was generally medium/high. Conclusion. Relaxation training can have a moderate impact on both psychological well-being and respiratory function, resulting in noticeable improvements in both. Although higher quality research is required, our results sustain the importance of relaxation techniques as a tool to manage COPD.

Mentions:
Two authors evaluated the risk of biases independently. For this purpose, the Assessment Tool by Cochrane Collaboration was used. It consists of seven items regarding the selection, performance, detection, attrition, reporting, and other sources of bias [56]. The two authors mentioned previously discussed the incongruities with the corresponding author (Figures 2 and 3). We used funnel plots to check for the existence of publication bias (Figures 5, 7, 9, and 11). Finally, we performed forest plots (Figures 6, 8, 10, and 12) by using Review Manager Software 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration).

Mentions:
Two authors evaluated the risk of biases independently. For this purpose, the Assessment Tool by Cochrane Collaboration was used. It consists of seven items regarding the selection, performance, detection, attrition, reporting, and other sources of bias [56]. The two authors mentioned previously discussed the incongruities with the corresponding author (Figures 2 and 3). We used funnel plots to check for the existence of publication bias (Figures 5, 7, 9, and 11). Finally, we performed forest plots (Figures 6, 8, 10, and 12) by using Review Manager Software 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration).

Bottom Line:
Results.The higher effect size was found in the quality of life value (d = 0.38; 95% Cl: 0.51-0.24).Relaxation training can have a moderate impact on both psychological well-being and respiratory function, resulting in noticeable improvements in both.

ABSTRACTIntroduction. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) people suffer from severe physical impairments, which often elicit significant psychological distress and impact their quality of life. This meta-analysis aimed to assess evidence from the scientific literature on the effects of relaxation techniques. Methods. We investigated 9 databases to select 25 RCTs. Studies included both inpatients and outpatients with COPD. Both respiratory and psychological outcomes were considered. Results. Relaxation techniques showed a little positive effect on the value of the percentage of predicted FEV1 (d = 0.20; 95% Cl: 0.40--0.01) as well as a slight effect on levels of both the anxiety (d = 0.26; 95% Cl: 0.42-0.10) and depression (d = 0.33; 95% Cl: 0.53-0.13). The higher effect size was found in the quality of life value (d = 0.38; 95% Cl: 0.51-0.24). The assessed quality of the studies, based on the PEDro Scale, was generally medium/high. Conclusion. Relaxation training can have a moderate impact on both psychological well-being and respiratory function, resulting in noticeable improvements in both. Although higher quality research is required, our results sustain the importance of relaxation techniques as a tool to manage COPD.